AN ENGLISH VIEW OF N.Z. RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 September 1950, Page 5

AN ENGLISH VIEW OF N.Z. RUGBY

"Hard Core Of Ruthless. Mechanical Efficiency." What Of Future ? LONDON. Sept. 1 (Reed. 6 p.m.)—‘'The intensely competitive spirit in which Rugby Vnion fooiball is played in New Zealand breeds in it a hard core of ruthless mechanical efficiency,’’ says ihv “Manebester Guardian,” reviewing the British Isles Rugby

team’s tour of the Dominion. “At its best.” the “Guardian” i '‘ontiiiues, "New Zealand lootball j a highly drilled, lightly organised, witheringly hard ganie. “It. is deliberately planned footbail, | which depends for its effectiveness i upon the most exacting degree of specialisation. Individuals exist in it less as separate creative intelligences, co-operating freely and accurately with their fellows, than as forged links in the length of polished chain mail. It is football which, as a regimental force, baiters its opponents, part, for part, until it searches out’ their weakest link. Then a wedge | is driven home and fhn onslaught begins w ?l h the irresistible force of nure i.4b.hematics.

| “The British Isles team met this I hard core of mercilessly scientific ■ football with looser artistry, which, by contrast, looked almost impulsive. It weaved its own patterns: it seemed almost whimsical, and, more often than nnt it disorganised the New | Zealand machine. I "Now that the leant has left for Australia the unspoken question among many Nev. Zealanders is whether its influence will have penetrated into the hard core and left seeds there from which the New Zealand game of the future will grow. "With curious irony, lhe British footballers, like lhe New Zealand ' cricketers in England, may well have I made the home team pause and question the assumed fundamentals of I heir own game.’’—N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.